Algonquin Outfitters

2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass

Welcome to 2017 and FREE park passes to everyone… well not quite.

Yes, it is true that Parks Canada is indeed providing free passes for the entire 2017 year to anyone who would like one. All you have to do is sign up on their website (http://www.pc.gc.ca/). It only took me about 4 minutes to complete the online order form with my name and mailing address. They didn’t even charge me any shipping, how simple is that! So simple in fact that over 900,000 people ordered their Discovery Pass earlier this year and they even were able to crash the Parks Canada servers in December because the amount of demand was so great.

Let’s answer some questions you may have

Q) Can I use the Parks Canada Discovery Pass when I visit provincial parks like Algonquin Provincial Park?

A) No, the Parks Canada Discovery Pass is only valid at National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites.

Discovery Pass not for Ontario Parks

Q) What parks in Ontario can I use the Parks Canada Discovery Pass at?

A) Here’s a list of all of the National Parks in Ontario:

For all of 2017 this pass gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites across the country!

Parks Canada Discovery Pass Map

Yep got it all my Parks Canada visits are unlimited and Free for all of 2017! Ontario Parks are indicated by dark green areas on the above map while the red leafs indicate Park’s Canada operated national parks where the Discovery Pass is valid.

You only need to order one pass for your group or family if you are all traveling together. A 2017 Discovery Pass is valid for everyone arriving in the same vehicle at a national park, or arriving together at a marine conservation area or historic site.

Great I can bring all my family and friends with me, perfect!

The Discovery Pass is only accepted at national historic sites which are operated by Parks Canada.

Ok got it all National Historic Sites in Canada…. wait a minute slow down there, let’s take a look at “National Historic Sites operated by Parks Canada”. There’s got to be a list somewhere…

National Historic Sites in Ontario

Battle Hill National Historic Site of Canada -Wardsville, Ontario
Battle of Cook’s Mills National Historic Site of Canada – Cook’s Mills, Ontario
Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site of Canada – Prescott, Ontario
Battlefield of Fort George National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Beausoleil Island National Historic Site of Canada – Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada, Ontario
Bellevue House National Historic Site of Canada – Kingston, Ontario
Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site of Canada – Gravenhurst, Ontario
Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada – Bois Blanc Island, Ontario
Butler’s Barracks National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Carrying Place of the Bay of Quinte National Historic Site of Canada – Carrying Place, Ontario
Fort George National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada – Amherstburg, Ontario
Fort Mississauga National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada – St. Joseph Island, Ontario
Fort Wellington National Historic Site of Canada – Prescott, Ontario
Glengarry Cairn National Historic Site of Canada – Cairn Island, Ontario
HMCS Haida National Historic Site of Canada – Hamilton, Ontario
Inverarden House National Historic Site of Canada – Cornwall, Ontario
Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada – Kingston, Ontario
Laurier House National Historic Site of Canada – Ottawa, Ontario
Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada – Merrickville, Ontario
Mississauga Point Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site of Canada – Atherley, Ontario
Murney Tower National Historic Site of Canada – Kingston, Ontario
Navy Island National Historic Site of Canada – Niagara Falls, Ontario
Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada – Peterborough, Ontario
Point Clark Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada – Amberly, Point Clark, Ontario
Queenston Heights National Historic Site of Canada – Queenston, Ontario
Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada – Ottawa / Kingston, Ontario
Ridgeway Battlefield National Historic Site of Canada – Ridgeway, Ontario
Saint-Louis Mission National Historic Site of Canada – Victoria Harbour, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada – Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Shoal Tower National Historic Site of Canada – Kingston, Ontario
Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site of Canada – Williamstown, Ontario
Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site of Canada – Iona, Ontario
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada – Trenton / Port Severn, Ontario
Woodside National Historic Site of Canada – Kitchener, Ontario

Ok that’s a lot of National Historic sites operated by Parks Canada just in Ontario, but I don’t see a lot of “Parks” there, I’m more interested in camping, canoeing and maybe hiking than visiting an old battle ground, let’s read on.

Activities such as tours or parking that normally carry a separate fee may not be covered by the Discovery Pass.

Ok got it anything extra, day tours, rentals, parking I still have to pay for.

Camping fees are not included with the Discovery Pass

If it’s not for camping then what is it for? Lets dig a little further into the “Terms of Use”

The 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass provides the passholder with unlimited entry to all participating National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and National Historic Sites administered by Parks Canada. (Note: Discovery Passes provide the holder with all of the opportunities and services that normally come with a daily entry pass or permit. Activities such as camping, tours, or parking that normally carry a separate fee may not be covered by the Discovery Pass. Camping fees are not included with the Discovery Pass).

A 2017 Discovery Pass is valid for everyone arriving in the same vehicle at a national park, or arriving together at a marine conservation area or historic site.

Ok got it so it’s just a day use pass and not an over night camping pass.